Evaluation of protein and starch digestibilities and energy value of pelleted or unpelleted pea seeds from winter or spring cultivars in adult and young chickens

Protein and starch digestibilities and apparent metabolizable energy values corrected to zero nitrogen retention (AMEn) were measured for pea mature seeds (Pisum sativum) from winter (Frisson) and spring (Finale) cultivars in 3-week-old chickens and adult cockerels. Pea seeds were either ground or ground, pelleted, and then reground. For young birds compared to adults the AMEN values of peas were similar, the pea starch digestibility was slightly lower, and the apparent digestibility of pea proteins was slightly higher. AMEn values, starch digestibility, and apparent protein digestibility were in general higher for the spring cultivar than for the winter one. Pelleting compared to grinding of peas induced positive effects, with the main effects being on AMEn values and starch digestibility. A sample of excreta from young birds fed on unpelleted winter pea diet was fractionated into four fractions differing in particle size. Coarse particles ( O.5 mm) of excreta contained the major part (73%) of undigested starch